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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Many soaps and lotions are scented with different oils. While these products may smell good, a new study reveals a connection between lavender oil and tea tree oil and a rare condition in which young boys have enlarged breast tissue.
The condition is called prepubertal gynecomastia. A cause for it is seldom identified. Colorado physician Clifford Bloch, M.D., went looking for a cause after three of his patients came to him with the condition. The three boys, ages 4, 7, and 10, were healthy and had normal hormonal levels. Doctors realized the three boys had all used lavender-scented soap and skin lotions, or shampoos and styling products containing tea tree oil and lavender oil. In each case, once the boys stopped using the products, their breast tissue went back to normal.
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Dr. Bloch discussed this finding with researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. They conducted laboratory studies using human cells to determine if the oils mimic the effects of estrogen or androgen. Estrogen is the female hormone that stimulates breast tissue growth, and androgen is the male hormone that inhibits breast tissue growth. They found pure lavender and tea tree oils can mimic the actions of estrogen and inhibit the effects of androgens.
Researchers report laboratory studies support Dr. Bloch's theory. Study authors encourage doctors who see patients with gynecomastia to talk to them about what types of products they are using. Meanwhile, investigators report more research is needed to determine the prevalence of prepubertal gynecomastia in boys using products containing lavender and tea tree oils.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: The New England Journal of Medicine, 2007; 356:479-485
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